Appropriate for: All Ages

Infection Defense is modeled off other popular tower-defense style video games with unique, appealing graphics for a fun gaming experience. The game immerses students in the skin and allows players to defend against infection using white blood cells, providing an accurate experience of how infections progress and (eventually) how they are stopped. The game gives students basic understanding of the immune system that can then be applied to how vaccines work to protect against incoming infections. Each level has incentivized multiple-choice style questions for players to answer to receive a reward. Defend against the incoming hordes of pathogens with Infection Defense!

Learn more about Infection Defense: The Educational Video Game

Appropriate for: All Ages

Learn about the history of the Beal Seed Experiment and the science behind it. Margaret Fleming will update everyone on the latest results from the 140-year-old bottle that was unearthed last year and help you plan your own seed experiment at home.

Learn more about WJ Beal Seed Experiment Update

Appropriate for: Middle school age, High school age, Over 21 years only

Both tropical forests and savannas are important for climate, biodiversity, and humans. Surprisingly, dense rainforests might be closer to being open, grassy savannas than their contrasting appearances might suggest. Some places actually can have forest or savanna, but one big difference is the occurrence of fire. As climate change and human activity alter rainforests, many are at risk of becoming savannas, which could worsen climate change. Explore what connects rainforests and savannas, why they're so valuable, and how to protect a natural mix of them. Exciting research stories will also be shared, like what it is like climbing into 160-foot tall trees!

Learn more about What Do the Amazon and African Serengeti Have in Common and How Can We Preserve Their Life-sustaining Function?

Appropriate for: All Ages

Learn about the history of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics at MSU! Archivists from the University Archives & Historical Collections will discuss early science education at the first college in the U.S. to teach scientific agriculture. The presentation will include historic photos, and stories about students and faculty.

Learn more about History of STEM at MSU

Appropriate for: Middle school age, High school age

Various real-life scenarios, such as defending a perimeter from intruders or transmitting critical information to vehicles in motion, can be achieved using modern interceptor robots. However, what is important is to figure out how to plan the robot’s motion to best perform perimeter defense. In this presentation, we will first show how example scenarios can be converted to a meaningful robot motion planning problem. Then, using simple ideas, we will demonstrate various motion plans for the robot. We will also compare the performance of the different plans and identify how to pick the right plan based on details such as the perimeter size or how fast the intruders move.

Learn more about Coordinating Mobile Robots to Defend a Perimeter

Appropriate for: All Ages

Vaccine hesitancy has been wildly discussed on social media during the pandemic. We’re currently monitoring vaccine-related posts on Twitter in real-time, and Facebook groups and Instagram accounts weekly. We’re developing a machine-learning algorithm to automatically categorize the post into pro-, neutral, or anti-vaccine. Such a massive dataset can help us understand how social media influence people’s likelihood to get vaccinated, what techniques anti-vaccination groups are using to influence others, how people respond to misinformation, and how can we encourage more people to get vaccinated.

Learn more about Ask the Expert: Social Media’s Impact on Vaccine Hesitancy

Appropriate for: All Ages

Have you ever tried to ask a grandparent (or maybe a child) for stories about their life, but gotten a disappointing one-word response? Asking questions that unlock great stories is a trickier skill than many people realize!

Since April 2020, MI Diaries has been collecting weekly stories from Michiganders through “audio diaries”. But to get a great diary entry, we need to ask people interesting questions! In this session, you’ll be brought behind-the-scenes of the MI Diaries project and see what makes a great question. You’ll get a chance to come up with your own questions and answer your favorites.

Learn more about Unlocking Great Stories by Asking the Right Questions: Learn the basics with MI Diaries!

Appropriate for: All Ages

Learn about an apple harvesting robot developed at MSU in collaboration with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Explore how the robot's design, perception, planning, and control impact its function. See the robot in action with a field test demonstration.

Learn more about An Apple Harvesting Robot

Appropriate for: All Ages

American society is characterized by political polarization. People do not seem to like people with different political views. This creates challenges for governing a divided country and reaching compromises that benefit the public good. How can Americans come together to address our shared challenges? I will discuss three ways that Americans, including the audience members, can help reach across party and ideological dividing lines. This is a problem without any quick fixes, but one that can be solved by each of us doing our part.

Learn more about Why Are "They" Like "That"?: Understanding and Reaching Across the Political Divide

Appropriate for: All Ages

Associate Professor Jon Frey shares his research into issues of color and pigmentation as applied to ancient art and antiquities. Attendees will learn about the history of coloration as applied to ancient art in the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University collection, the science behind its analysis, and explore the racial and social implications of color and “whiteness” through an art historical lens. This program takes place with the exhibition History Told Slant: Seventy-seven Years of Collecting Art at MSU as its backdrop. Additional speakers will join the conversation, sharing their perspectives on the intersections of art, science, and social justice.

Learn more about Finding Color in the Collection: Art, Science, and Social Justice

Appropriate for: All Ages

The 24th Annual University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF) provides a space for MSU undergraduate students to showcase their research, scholarship, and creative activity. This event is free and open to the public.

Learn more about Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF)

Appropriate for: All Ages

Stem cells are cells that can self-renew and differentiate into many cell types. In adults, stem cells can only be found in specific organs, such as hematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow that replenish your white and red blood cells. However, many organs (e.g., heart and pancreas) do not have stem cells. But your doctor may be able to use stem cells to cure diseases like diabetes or heart failure in the future. How would this happen? Dr. Wang will tell you stories about the so-called pluripotent stem cells that can be coaxed into all types of adult cells including cardiac muscles in the heart and beta-cells in the pancreas. She will also discuss the future of stem cell applications in agriculture.

Learn more about Pluripotent stem cells: the Jack of all trades

Appropriate for: All Ages

In this talk we will travel together in time to explore the future of our solar system. We will discuss what will happen to our Sun in a few billion years from now and how this will affect life here on Earth. I will show novel 3D hydrodynamic computer simulations done by scientists at MSU that give us an idea of what our solar system will look like when our Sun starts to die. We will also touch base on the possibilities of future interstellar traveling and colonizing new worlds beyond our solar system.

Learn more about The Future is Bright - Maybe Too Bright!

Appropriate for: All Ages

mRNA vaccines have been heralded as a new frontier in vaccine technology by scientists around the globe. However, these successes and advancements have been obfuscated and misrepresented, unfortunately leading to fear and misunderstanding of mRNA vaccines. In actuality, research into mRNA vaccines has been ongoing for decades. Come discover the background of mRNA vaccines, from their history, how they work and recent advancements, and learn to use this information yourself to critique the misconceptions floating through the internet.

Learn more about mRNA V: Debunking Myths and Misconceptions with Science and Information

Appropriate for: All Ages

Transylvanian-born, Hungarian-American documentary filmmaker and visiting professor at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at MSU takes you on a journey through a non-traditional career: researching properties of matter in the early universe as Theoretical Physicist at Brookhaven National Laboratory, teaching physics intersecting with the arts as Professor at Pratt Institute and Yale, and documentary filmmaking that highlights the human element in science. Expect entertaining communication across mediums, disciplines, and cultures, infused with advocacy for more diverse and inclusive science, and a first insight into the making of Rare Connections, the FRIB documentary produced and directed by Dr. Mócsy.

Learn more about The Road From Physics to Filmmaking

Appropriate for: All Ages

Did you know that plants are at the cutting edge to fight global warming? Join the MSU Plant Research Laboratory staff to conduct experiments to find evidence that plants use the power of light to take up carbon dioxide. Plants also use the carbon dioxide to produce the sugars we need to make biofuels and food. Have a favorite color? Find out if plants can use that color of light to power photosynthesis.

Learn more about Going Green: How Plants Make the Oxygen We Breathe

Appropriate for: Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, Over 21 years only

Bioluminescence is a naturally occurring phenomenon used by various animals to produce light. For example, the firefly uses this mechanism, as well as several deep-sea creatures. The goal of the program is to explain and demonstrate how these unique, light emitting mechanisms were evolved in nature through millions of years. Furthermore, how those mechanisms are now being used by scientists for biomedical research.

Learn more about From Seaside to Bedside: How Marine Organisms and Insects Can Be Used for Diagnostics and Therapeutics

Appropriate for: All Ages

Sponsored by the National Science Foundation Future of Work grant, we collect meeting minutes, videos, emails, surveys of student and corporation project teams to study how small and large teams function. We use machine-learning techniques to analyze our meeting data and pinpoint ways to improve team performance. We then use lab experiments to see how teams interact in the short term.

Learn more about Can Machine Learning Help Team Performance?

Appropriate for: All Ages

Meet members of MSU's student-led SciReview Journal and explore exciting student writings that encourage curiosity in science.

SciReview is a student led journal. Members pick an article topic and write a review. Or, this article can be based on their own original research. After the finalized product is submitted, the board reviews and publishes the document.

Learn more about MSU SciReview Spotlight

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age

What is the difference between climate and weather? How can we see climate change happening around us? How can we see weather in our daily lives?

Using science, we will demonstrate the difference between these two phenomena that are so prevalent in the news and media today. The goal of this interactive presentation is to educate children on weather, climate, and the science involved in both of these so they feel employed with the power of knowledge to make a change in our climate reality.

Learn more about Climate Versus Weather

Appropriate for: All Ages

What influences our eating behavior? Is it the environment? Is it our gut? Is it our brain? Maybe it's a little of everything. Join the Alex Johnson Neuroscience Lab from Michigan State University as we discuss how MINDFUL we really are when it comes to eating.

Learn more about A Taste of Neuroscience

Appropriate for: All Ages

MSU’s supercomputer can perform four quadrillion math operations in a single second. One human working every second of every day would take over 128 million years to do the same! This massive speedup is critical for computational researchers from multidisciplinary backgrounds to conduct their work. The Institute for Cyber-Enabled Research (ICER) provides support and computing services for this cyberinfrastructure. Join ICER in exploring the supercomputing center in a virtual 360-degree tour that walks you through the critical hardware components, the impressive cooling system, the process of running applications, and more. Do not miss the accompanying introductory video led by Eniac, ICER’s animated computer node!

Learn more about Supercomputing in 360 Degrees: Explore the Nuts and Bolts!

Appropriate for: All Ages

Want to become an advocate for practical solutions to the climate crisis? The Climate Reality Project is an organization founded by former VP Al Gore in 2006 that focuses on climate change and solutions. Across the country, everyday Americans are joining Climate Reality chapters and working together for practical climate solutions. There are 8 chapters in Michigan including the Lansing Chapter, founded by students at Okemos High School, and the Michigan State University Chapter, founded by MSU undergraduates. Students Bernadette Osborn from Okemos High School and Claire Bott from Michigan State University will present information on the climate crisis and what their chapters are doing to advocate for solutions. Find out how you can become involved in these chapters and make a real difference for the future of our planet.

Learn more about The Climate Reality Project: The Climate Crisis and Solutions

Appropriate for: Over 21 years only

Astronomy is even better with beer — come learn how scientists explore the universe at a bar near you! This FREE event features accessible, engaging science presentations on topics ranging from planets to black holes to the beginning of the Universe. Presenters are from local research and educational institutions like Michigan State University. We will have a trivia game to test your astronomy knowledge and space-themed raffle prizes! There will also be lots of time to ask questions and interact with the presenters and other scientists who tag along for the beer.

Learn more about Astronomy on Tap

Appropriate for: Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, Over 21 years only

Presentation cancelled

Hydroponics is a fun and easy way to garden indoors year-round. Learn how to start your own hydroponic garden using low-cost and easy-to-find materials, even if you have no prior horticultural experience. Explore how to design, build, and maintain a simple hydroponic garden capable of rapidly producing healthy vegetables. Basic plant physiology, horticultural lighting, mixing nutrient solutions, troubleshooting growing problems, and more will be covered.

Learn more about CANCELLED -- Crash Course in Hydroponics

Appropriate for: All Ages

Often, people flourish under a group of supportive people, and the same is true for budding scientists. Collaborating with like-minded people can allow scientists to think of new ideas and become more comfortable in communicating them. During the session, we will share our journeys in finding a scientific community and how it has helped us with our scientific ventures. We will also introduce how to find a scientific community with a note that there is no “correct way” to join/form one. Perhaps our talk will allow listeners to join and form a community themselves!

Learn more about Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Finding an Accessible Science Community

Appropriate for: All Ages

"Flow & Flint Town — Mental and Musical Flows of Rap Artists in the City" is a book project by MSU Professor Geri and students, in which they interview 20 hip-hop performers or producers about their states of flow. Psychological flow is known as "being in the zone." Musical flow is using your voice like an instrument to ride and rhyme to--or off--a beat.

Learn more about In the Zone: Psychological & Musical Flow

Appropriate for: All Ages

Come learn about how noise pollution is affecting ecosystems. During migration or during breeding season, noise pollution plays an important role in what habitat birds use, how they find food, and how they adapt to noisy environments. Whether you are in the city or in a forest, explore places where you can hear birds and reflect on the importance of quiet habitats.

Learn more about Birds and Noisy Habitats

Appropriate for: All Ages

Discover everything you ever wanted to know about the daily operations and weather forecasting at the National Weather Service (NWS). Dive deeper into the science behind making a weather forecast with an expert. Learn answers to questions like: who is the NWS; for whom does the NWS forecast the weather; how is a weather forecast composed; and how are forecasts distributed to the public.

Learn more about Weather Forecasting & Operations with the National Weather Service

Appropriate for: All Ages

How do you protect what you create in your STEM projects? Do you have a patentable invention? Where would you go to get affordable legal help?

Students from the MSU College of Law will introduce basic intellectual property and other legal rights in plain languages, discuss how you might protect your rights, highlight resources and clinics at the law school, and answer questions.

Learn more about Protecting Your Intellectual Property and Other Legal Rights in STEM Projects

Appropriate for: Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, Over 21 years only

Video games that mesh art, fun, and education in just the right blend have the potential to solve widespread educational issues - especially now. During this livestream event, we will explore (and play) an exciting, innovative gaming tool that is teaching students about vaccines and the human immune system: Infection Defense. Why read an article about the immune system when you can defend against hordes of pathogens yourself? Come ready to learn and play during this 30-minute livestream event, hosted by Rhys Gogonis, an MSU Microbiology alumni.

Learn more about Infection Defense, The Video Game: The Solution to Vaccine Hesitancy in Young Populations

Appropriate for: Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age

Accompany the young Charles Darwin on his voyage of discovery on HMS Beagle in a 40-minute animated film at MSU’s Abrams Planetarium. The full-dome graphics presentation puts you onboard the Beagle, diving below the surface of the ocean and soaring above the land in an exploration and celebration of the diversity of life on Earth. Join MSU Darwin scholar, Dr. Rich Bellon, for a question and answer session following the showing. Suitable for family audiences with children ages five and older.

Michigan State University is requiring proof of vaccination or recent negative COVID-19 test for athletic, music, art and theatre events happening on campus. This includes the Abrams Planetarium.

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of the event will be required of all attendees ages 12 and up. Attendees who cannot provide the required information will not be allowed into the venue.

Learn more about Natural Selection Show at the MSU Planetarium

Appropriate for: Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, Over 21 years only

The 1901 iron handpress in the MSU Main Library is, amazingly, almost the exact same mechanism invented by Gutenberg in the 1450s. Over the centuries, other printers made some tweaks and refinements, but Gutenberg's design stayed essentially the same. See how the iron handpress works and talk with the MSU Librarian who runs it!

Learn more about See a 1901 Iron Handpress in Action!

Appropriate for: All Ages

Alien fish are invasive species introduced in several ways into the Great Lakes. Common Carp is one of them, but several Asian Carp species are getting closer to entering the Great Lakes ecosystem. Do you know that invasive fish may host emerging pathogens that may interfere with the local ecosystems and even threaten native fish species? Join us to learn more about these serious issues and how to identify invasive alien fish!

Learn more about Alien Fish in the Great Lakes

Appropriate for: High school age, Over 21 years only

When we talk about books from the Middle Ages, parchment - the writing surface - gets the most attention. But what about the wooden boards protecting those arduously hand-written pages? Medieval bookbinders were experts on wood anatomy and chose the exact cut needed for durability. Their book covers have survived more than 500 years of handling! Learn more from MSU Special Collections conservator, Garrett Sumner.

Learn more about The Science and Craft of Wood in Medieval Bookbinding

Appropriate for: All Ages

The event will feature experts from the College of Communication Arts and Sciences sharing their latest research and ideas with the community. It will feature opportunities for discussion and provide an opportunity to celebrate the social science of effective communication.

Learn more about Communication on Tap: Science Festival Edition

Appropriate for: Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, Over 21 years only

Join CADL as we present some of our favorite experiments from our hundreds of science books. These won't be your everyday, baking-soda-and-vinegar volcanoes. We'll be doing a variety of fun, new experiments that you can try out at home. We'll also be sharing some of our favorite science experiment books which you can check out from your local CADL branch.

Learn more about Cancelled: CADL Presents: Science Experiments by the Book

Appropriate for: Middle school age, High school age, Over 21 years only

MSU-St. Andrews (Midland) features a monthly Astronomy Night. In April, Mercury shines in the evening, while the others dominate the morning. Jupiter is in Aquarius, Saturn is in Capricorn, and Venus & Mars will pass through both, so the planets will help us find those constellations. Uranus & Neptune are also out! (You’ll need binoculars.) We will also show attendees how and when to use a star chart. By “sky-hopping” from the Big Dipper we can find Boötes the herdsman, Virgo, and Leo. Even more—there are two meteor showers happening! We will show you when and where to look.

Learn more about Would You Like to See Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn in a Single Night? We Will Show You How!